Combination automobile lock



R. A. sTEwMAN COMBINATION AUTOMOBILE LOCK Nov. 24, 1925.

Filed Aug. 25, 1922 2 Sheets-Shut 1 gnu or. Wldfihwmzg w u w mm l Z W m.m I, l m nmmim ,7 1 22 2 I. m w m mm mu .1 awn-mu W Z; W w w w, w i K ia W .y fygflfl am: an,

NOV. R. A. STEM/MAN COMBINATION AUTOMOBILE LOCK Filed Aug. 25. 1922 2Sheets-She f 2 f ll Patented Nov. 24, 1925.

rseazae PATENT OFFICE.

RAIJPH A. STEWMAN, OF AKRON, OHIO.

COMBINATION AUTOMOBILE Loon.

Application filed August 25, 1922. Serial No. 584,245.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that RALPH A. S'ruwiiism a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Akron, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio,has invented new and useful Improvements in Combination AutomobileLocks, of which the following is a specification.

The object of the invention is to provide a lock of the combination orpernmtation type suitable for use in connection with automobiles andsimilar motor-driven ve hicles for con-trolling the ignition switch andin that connection to provide an alarm mechanism whereby an unauthorizedattempt to operate the switch will result in the actuation of an audiblealarm a warning or notification of such attempt; and with this object inview the invention consists in a. construction and combination of partsof which a preferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings,wherein 1- Figure 1 is a plan view of the invention. Figure 2 is acentral vertical sectional view of thesame. I

'Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 1s a section on the line t.t of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 2. I

Figureo is a vertical diametrical section of one of the tumbler disks.

Figure 7 is a detail perspective view showing the fixed alarm contactmember.

Figure 8is a detail perspective view. illus trating the follower.

Figure9 is a detall elevational view illus trating one of the contactmembers, the bottom wall of the casing being shown in section.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the operatmg shaft.

Vl 1th1n a suitable casing 10 having a cover plate consisting of a dial11 suitably graduated and provided with combination symbols, eitherletters or numerals as may be preferred, is mounted a revoluble spindle12 having an exterior operating knob 13 and carrying a pointer orindicator'l t for traversin'g' the dial. The spindle is also providedwith a key ward 15 adapted for regis tration with a key slot 16 in thedial to permit of ion itudinal movement of the spindle in opposition tothe tension of the pointer or indicator 1.4 which is constructed as aspring with one end secured to the under side of the knob and the freeend thereof in contact with the surface of the dial and tendingtoyieldingly hol'dthe spindle in its withdrawn position and with the ward15 outside of theplane of the dial. 7

Mounted within the casing and carried by a suitable hub 17 is a switcharm 18 adapted for engagement selectively with contacts 19 and 20forming; the terminals respectively for the contacts or magneto. andbatterycirc-uits. Obviously additional contacts may be provided as forexample where the combination of battery and magneto circuit isemployed.

a lug 22 on the operating or knob spindle to form an interlocking:connection between The hub of the switcharm is provided with a seat 2-1for the reception of arm from the neutral position indicated instructure is illustrated, opcratively connect: ed to the operating;spindle 12 so as to be turned thereby and thus communicate mo tionconsecutively to the other disks .topernut of thelr successivearrangement to re, ;is-

'terthe tumbler slots 25 thereof with the path of movement of atollower26'which is mounted for moveinentin a path parallel wlth theoperat ng spindle and by said spindle when the tumbler disks areproperly a1 ranged; The operative connection between the operatingspindle and the uppermost or smallest of the tumbler disks consists of apin key on the former movable in a slot formed in the latter. Thuslongitudinal movement of the spindle relative to the disk is providedbut relative angular movement recludes it. Said followeroi which the odydisk is frictionally held on the spindle is provided with a series ofstepped shoulders 27 for respectively passing; through the slots 24 ofthe tumbler disks when the latter are in registered position. Normallythe said shoulders rest upon the disks which serve to support thefollower and prevent its movement and hence the movement of the which isof the smallest diameter as thev spindle su'fliciently to effect aninterlocking engagement thereof with the switch arm so as to permit ofthe adjustment of the switch. A bridge 23* spans the casing below thetumbler disks and serves as a support for the same, this bridge beingmade preterably of insulating material.

In order that an alarm may be sounded in the event that an unauthorizedor surreptitious attempt should be made to operate the lock and shouldbe accompanied by an effort on the part of the operator to press theknob inwardly to etiect engagement with the switch arm without properlysetting the tumbler disks, there is employed an alarm mechanismincluding an alarm contact- 28 having a series of arms 20 extending in-'ard into (overlapping relation with the peripheries of. the tumblerdisks and having a terminal 30 for an electrical connection with asuitable alarm hell or its equivalent (not shown). Each tumbler diskconsists of a bony portion 2 a of fibre or other suitable insulatingmaterial and a rim 23 o! brass or like conductive mate 1 having: aninterlocked engagement with the periphery of" the body disk 20 as shownin detail 111 Figure 'i". One terminal of the ignition circuit beingshown at 31 in connection with the switch arm. It is obvious that anyattempt to depress the knob 13 without properly registering the slots ofthe tumbler disks will close a circuit between the switch arm, theoperating: spindle, the follower, the rims of the tumbler disks and thearms of the alarm contact 28 and thence to the terminal 30 by thetilting of the tumblers through the pressureapplied thereto by thefollower, so thatganyonewlthin hearing distance of the alarm will benotified of the unauthorized attemptto close the ignition circuit oi thefthe spindle. in the axial movement of the latter andnorinally impededin its move-- ment by the tumbler disks;

2. A look for the purpose indicated hav ing a. switcha'rm, an operatingspindle axially movable for interlocking engagement with the. switcharm, tumbler disks arranged in coeaxial relation with the spindle andactuable thereby, and a follower actuable by the spindle in the axialmovement of the latter and normally impeded in its movement bythe'tumbler disks, said operating spindle having an interposed manuallyactuable knob and a spring pointer for traversing a dial and serving toyieldingly hold the spindle in disengaged relation with the switch arm.

3. A lock for the purpose indicated having a switch arm, an operatingspindle axially movable for interlocking engagement with the switch arm,tnniblcr disks arranged in co-axial relation with the spindle andactuable thereby, and a follower actnable by the spindle in the analmovement of the latter and normally impeded in its movement bythetumbler disks, he switch arm liaving'a socket and the spindle l'iavingra. lock tor interlocking engagement with the SOClifit'Will-(il thespindle is impelled axialh'.

4r. lock for the purpose indicated hai inc a switch arm, anoperating'spindle avially movable for interlocking engagement with theswitch arm. tumbler disks arranged in co-aninl relation with the spindleand actiialiile thereby, and a follower actuable by the spindle in theaxialmovement ot' the latter and normally impeded in its movement by thetumbler disks, the tumbler disks being: provided with peripheral notchesand the follower having a series of shoulders for respective contactwith the tumbler disks and adapted to pass through said notches when thedisks are adjusted to etiect the registration thereof.

. 5. A lock for the purpose indicated havmg a switch arm, an operatingspindle aizially movable for interlocking: engagement with the switcharm, tiltable tumbler disks arranged in. coaxial relation with thespindle and aetuable thereby, and a follower actnableby the spindle inthe axial move ment of the latter and normally impeded in its movementthe tumbler disks, and an alarm contact having lingers arranged in thepaths of tilting movement of the tumbler disks;

6. A lock for the purpose indicated having avswitch arm, an ope atingspindle axially movable for interlocking engagement with theswitcharm.-tn1nbler disks arranged in coaxial relation with the. spindle andactuable thereby, and a follower actuable by the spindle in the axialmovement of the latter and normally impeded in its movement by thetumbler disks, the tui nbler disks being; provided with electricallyconductive rims carried by insulating body portions, and a contactprovided with fingers arranged in overlapping relation respectively withthe rims ofthe tumbler disks.

Intestimony whereof he aiiixes his signs:- ture.

RALPH A. STEVVMAN.

